Now that the Red Wings are done at Joe Louis Arena—- what will happen at the site?
First, a public auction is expected. The city of Detroit owns the building. Olympia Entertainment owns just about everything inside.
Then, the demolition, scheduled for September.
Detroit’s bankruptcy in 2014 ordered that Joe Louis be torn down, the site be given to Financial Guaranty Insurance Company, a bond insurer, which is to find a partner to build a hotel. Mayor Duggan has said he expects hi-rise residential to be included. Since the site is surrounded by a freeway, part of Cobo Center, and the People Mover, a major challenge is to re-connect it to the rest of downtown, and the growing public riverwalk.